What determines the exposure for a limited partner in a limited partnership?

In a limited partnership, a limited partner's exposure to liability is primarily determined by the amounts they have agreed to pay, known as their unpaid capital contributions. This means that if a limited partner has committed to invest a certain amount in the partnership but has not yet fully paid that amount, their liability extends only to the amount they still owe to the partnership.

Limited partners enjoy protection from personal liability beyond their initial investment in the partnership, which distinguishes them from general partners who can be held personally liable for all of the partnership's debts. As such, while the partnership's total liabilities, its profits, and the capital contributions are important aspects of the partnership’s financial structure, it is the specific unpaid amounts that actually determine the extent of a limited partner's exposure. This framework helps in providing limited partners with a safety net while still allowing them to invest in the business.